Complete Value of Life Insurance and Working With a Financial Professional11/10/2013

Complete Value of Life Insurance and Working With a Financial Professional

(NewsUSA) - Over the last several years, planning for retirement has been anything but simple. Market uncertainty, lower real estate prices and for some, job loss or stagnant salaries, have made saving and investing for a sound financial future more challenging than ever. That's where a financial professional comes into play.
A financial professional can help you save, invest and grow your money, while protecting what matters to you -- your family, a business or standard of living. But, how do you find a financial professional that's a good fit for you?
1. Start by considering his or her philosophy and approach to retirement planning. In today's tenuous financial environment, a professional who believes permanent life insurance plays a critical role in a financial plan should be a strong consideration.
Permanent life insurance provides a guaranteed safety net, should the unthinkable happen. A death benefit can give you peace of mind that your family or business is properly protected. Plus, the cash accumulation potential of permanent life insurance can be used to launch a second career, pay for a grandchild's education or supplement retirement revenue streams. Permanent life insurance also allows other elements of a financial plan, such as annuities, investments or disability insurance, to do their job.*
2. Make sure the financial professional has the proper education and training. Here are the top credentials to look for:
* Chartered Life Underwriter (CLU) -- an insurance designation often held by those who specialize in life insurance and estate planning and given by The American College, a nonprofit dedicated to educating individuals in financial services.
* Certified Financial Planner (CFP) -- a designation given and governed by the Certified Finacial Planner Board of Standards.
* Chartered Financial Consultant (ChFC) -- a designation on par with the CFP, also given by The American College.
3. Make certain you have a good comfort level with the financial professional, and how they communicate with clients. You can do this by scheduling an in-person meeting, preferably at their office, to ask the following questions:
* What is your approach to retirement planning?
* How often will I have the opportunity to meet in person to make sure my plan can adjust as my life evolves?
* What is the average length of your relationships with clients?
* Will you offer options and help me compare risks, costs and benefits?
* How will you communicate with me about my finances?
To learn more about working with a financial professional to take full advantage of the complete value of life insurance, visit www.PennMutual.com.